Reptile & Amphibian Forums

which do you prefer, a heat mat, or a basking light? or both?
to start off with i had heat mats, and basking lights.... my snakes seemed to stay out of the heated side, so i switched to just the lights on one viv and a heat mat on the other...
here is what i have noticed, degei she is the one with the heat mat, she goes to it part of the day and most of the night.
naaza has the basking light, i never see him go to the heated side.

this could mean that the heat mat isnt hot enough and the lamp is too hot.
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jake

my addiction:
2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
1 amelenistic corn snake (mazy)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)

>>which do you prefer, a heat mat, or a basking light? or both?
>>to start off with i had heat mats, and basking lights.... my snakes seemed to stay out of the heated side, so i switched to just the lights on one viv and a heat mat on the other...
>>here is what i have noticed, degei she is the one with the heat mat, she goes to it part of the day and most of the night.
>>naaza has the basking light, i never see him go to the heated side.

Hi raisnok
Iv Found over the 20+ years of keeping/breeding snakes that a heatmat and basking light combined work fine for snakes if you have both on one side of the viv, The basking light should be conected to a Day / Night Dimming Thermostat for the right heat to light ratio for day time temps, the heatmat placed beneth the light source should be conected to the same Day / Night Dimming Thermostat for the night temps. the light can be manualy switched off or on or timmed, its a bit expensive but it works a treat.. this doesnt work for all setups ie rack systems were all thats needed is therm control of heatmats and a good light source for the whole room that is timed. also higher vivs are more suited for basking lights with mats, as low hight vivs with basking lights tend to cause burning of the snake contained.
Also The ventilation is a major factor. try not to use lid ventilation as this allows the heat to escape to fast and air convection wont be right, try to have your vents on opposite ends of the viv at about 2 inches down from the top , this seems to cause the right air flows needed to give good gradients.
I hope this helps you in you quest for the right solution for heat and light.
Try 3 hides ...1 cool end, 1 midle, 1 basking .. keep the hides to a size where your snakes are real snug and dark.
Try to achieve 84/6 basking end and 70/2 cool end . and keep your vivs out of direct sunlight or you risk the green house effect with temps rising up and over 100, and thats a killer.

I have always believed in spairing no expense on my snakes but thats me. not everyone has the means, so do the best you can with what you can.

Paul..

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Pinky's taste nice,only if there fresh..

What morph was that? It's gorgeous!
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Redtail "Kilo"
1.0 Ball Python "Wilson"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches" (Didn't name her!)

>>What morph was that? It's gorgeous!

Hi phiber_optikx
its a hybrid = 50/50 Reverse okeetee corn x Peach pueblan milk / het anery

Thanks
Paul.
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Pinky's taste nice,only if there fresh..

I generally just go with heat mat I have a basking like but i live in vegas and it is very hot so i rarely use it. It seems that you basking light might be to hot for ur snake test out switching both snakes from mat to basking light and check their behavior.

To me it seems like the heat mat is doing the right thing for ur snake and the basking light isnt. thats just my opinion im no expert. There's also many other variables do u have proper hides on both ends etc.....

i have a hide in the cool side one in the heated side and one in the middle.....